Robert Douglas Peckett’s wartime memoir recounts his childhood experiences in Limpsfield Chart, a village crucial to the war effort due to its proximity to major airfields and military routes. His vivid memories include life with POW camps, the community’s resilience, and significant events like VE Day, illustrating the war’s impact even in rural Britain.
During World War II, schools in London were evacuated to Oxted and Limpsfield. Aske’s Boys School students attended lessons in various local venues, including the Barn Theatre. Due to V-1 bomb threats, they were later moved to Teignmouth. An evacuee’s letter recounts a bomb incident, highlighting the dangers faced during their education.
On August 18, 1940, nurse J.H. Allen experienced her first day of combat nursing amidst the Battle of Britain. She treated Dunkirk survivors and civilian casualties while witnessing intense air battles. Remarkably, she encountered King George VI during troop reviews. Allen’s experiences deeply shaped her nursing career and provided lasting memories of wartime unity.
Limpsfield, Surrey 